Combination in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle

ABSTRACT

A removable protective cover that also acts as a carrier for storing and transporting an outdoor furniture cushion of an outdoor piece of furniture having a seat support, arms, back rest, and legs. The protective cushion is unattached and separated from the cushion when covering the cushion adjacent thereto. The protective cushion is a flexible layer which is substantially rectangular with opposite first and second distal ends configured with snap closure fasteners and with an internal handle rod in each of the protective cushion&#39;s distal ends. The protective cushion is adapted to wrap around the seat and/or back cushions with the snap fasteners from the first and second distal ends engaging each other for enclosing the cushions for transporting and storage. Internal handles are adapted for carrying the cover enclosing a cushion, and the protective cushion is stored in the chair during normal user occupancy use of the chair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover for cushions that are part of outdoor furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to an in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle, and method of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor furniture cushion protective covers are known. While attachable covers that are attached by zippers, snaps, or VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners to semi-permanent park bench or vehicle seat covers do not need to be quickly removed, attachable protective covers are used to protect outdoor furniture cushion covers, but require extra time and effort to separate the protective covers from the cushions of the outdoor furniture, such as chairs or lounges.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, for protective covers for removable outdoor furniture cushions, there is a need to be able to quickly cover removable furniture seat or back rest cushions, in view of impending rain or adverse weather, but also to quickly remove the protective cover in situ from the cushions on the frame of the outdoor furniture chair or other furniture, during use of the chairs and cushions by occupants in pleasant sunny weather.

There is also a need to be able to use the protective cover as a storage carrier for transporting the cushions within the protective cover to another location, such as to a gazebo or tool shed, for storage away from impending short term s inclement weather such as summer thunderstorms, so that cushions can be isolated from the inclement weather, or for seasonal storage over the winter.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, these objects and purposes, as well as others which will be apparent, are achieved generally by an in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises an in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle for use with a chair with a seat cushion and a backrest, where the cover is configured with respective distal ends 18 and 20 where there are positioned respective, complementary snap closure fasteners and one or more internal handle rods. Preferably, the integral handle formed by respective distal ends in positional register with each other when the cover is separate from but stored underneath and behind a joint between the seat cushion and back rest cushion.

In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of using the inventive in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle with a chair with a seat cushion and a backrest. To do so, the cover is positioned to cover the seat rest so that one distal cover end extends out from under the seat cushion and at the other end of the seat cushion, the remainder of the cover is rolled for deployment, in the place where the seat cushion and backrest cushion meet, behind the backrest cushion. When a need to cover, or carry, arises, the backrest cushion is arranged in parallel with the set cushion and the rolled part of the cover is unrolled about the back rest cushion and the respective distal ends with handles and snaps are affixed.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with the following description of the drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patio chair, showing the cover exploded and floating above in an L shaped orientation, with seat and back cushions placed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1, showing the cover and cushions placed on the chair;

FIG. 3 is a close-up enlarged view, taken at view arrow 3 of FIG. 2, showing the rolled-up unused cover stored beneath the seat cushion, on the frame of the chair;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover in a flat condition, with the cushions shown placed together thereon;

FIG. 5 is a local enlarged view of a corner of the cover, taken at view arrow 5 of FIG. 4, showing a snap fastener and with material peeled away to reveal the rod;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but with the cushions stacked on the seat, and the cover folding down in the direction of the curved arrows, in anticipation of fastening the snap fasteners;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cover encasing the cushions, with the snap fasteners fastened;

FIG. 8 is a crossectional elevation, taken at cutline 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing the snaps fastened, and the rods in an abutted condition;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 2, but showing a larger cover containing larger cushions, as on a patio love seat;

FIG. 10 is a view of a person carrying the cover containing cushions; and,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged local view, taken at view arrow 11 of FIG. 10, showing the hand grasping the rods during transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are presented in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention and are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover and integral handle, and method of use.

FIG. 1 depicts the in situ outdoor furniture cushions cover 10 being a rectangular flexible layer, made of fabric or synthetic sheet-like material, with an integral handle (referred interchangeably hereinafter as “cover” or “inventive cover”) in an exploded perspective view of a chair 1 having a seat support 2, arms 3, a backrest 4, legs 5, and set of separable cushions, comprising seat cushion 6 and back rest cushion 7, wherein the cover 10 includes respective distal ends 18 and 20. The respective distal ends 18 and 20 are configured with snap closure fasteners 12 and 14 and internal handle rods 16 in each respective distal ends 18 and 20. Optionally, one rod 16 can also be used in one distal end of the cover (not shown). The exploded view of FIG. 2 shows, next to the cover 19, the separate back rest cushion 7 and the seat cushion 6 placed in a storage/carry position (spaced apart from cover 10). For that matter, the separate, inventive cover 10 has an integral handle formed by its respective distal ends 18 and 20 being in position register with each other when the cover 10 is separate from, but stored underneath and behind, a joint between the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7.

FIG. 2 presents a front perspective view of the chair 1 (see FIG. 1), the cushion set comprising the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7, and the cover 10 stored under the seat cushion 6 and the portion of the cover 10 normally used to cover the back rest cushion 7 being rolled up in a storage position behind the seat cushion 6, upon the frame of the chair 1.

FIG. 3 presents a closeup detail perspective view of the chair 1 set comprising the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7, and the cover 10 being rolled in the storage position being repositioned behind the seat cushion 6. FIG. 3 also shows that during use, the rolled-up cover is arranged by the user in a hidden position behind the horizontally oriented seat cushion 6 and upright backrest cushion 7, as shown.

FIG. 4 depicts the cover 10 in an open position to highlight the storage positions of the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7, which are laid flat against the cover 10. As shown, the cover 10 includes distal handle ends 18 and 20 with snap fasteners 12, 14 and respective rods 16 installed within each respective distal end 18, 20. It is noted, however, that in an alternate embodiment, a single rod 16 could be installed at one distal end (only), but such an embodiment would not feel “firm” to carry, as would a cover having a rod 16 in each opposite distal end 18, 20 of the cover 10.

FIG. 5 presents a closeup enlarged view of a corner of the cover 10, showing a snap fastener 14 on the distal portion 18 of the cover 10, with the flexible cover material shown peeled away to reveal the rod 16 therein.

FIG. 6 shows movement arrows depicting the furling of the cover 10 over the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7, to be enclosed within the cover 10.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the inventive cover 10 in a closed state, i.e., with the enclosed seat cushion 6 and back rest cushion 7 contained therein. A handle portion is formed by the positional register of respective distal ends 18 and 20 placed together, where respective internal rods 16 are contained within respective distal areas 18 and 20 of the cover 10. This inventive arrangement ensures that the seat cushion 6 and the back rest cushion 7 are securely stored within the cover 10.

FIG. 8 shows in crossection the rods 16 encased within the opposite distal ends 18 and 20 of the cover 10, and also showing fasteners 12, 14 engaged together, holding cover 10 over both the seat cushion 6 and back rest cushion 7 in storage and carry positions. Preferably, in order to provide an ease of grasping the in-situ handle formed by the joining of the distal ends 18 and 20, with the respective rods enclosed therein, the portions of the distal ends 18 and 20 extending beyond the fasteners 12, 14, have teardrop shaped portions, which are made of a malleable but semi-rigid material, so that they each emanate angularly outward, forming a V-shaped pair with a V-shaped recess extending therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 4-8, the protective cushion cover 10 has no joinable attachments to the cushions 6 and 7 when the protective cushion cover 10 is covering over, and adjacent to, the seat cushion 6 and the backrest cushion 7.

FIG. 9 shows a larger chair 101 with larger cushions 106, 107 contained within a larger cover 110, constructed in accordance with the inventive principles. The larger cover 110 includes (as shown) distal ends 118, 120 with snaps 112, 114 covering the larger seat cushion 106 and the back rest cushion 107.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a user carry the cushions 6 and 7 of the hands of a user carrying the respective seat cushion 6 and back rest cushion 7 stored within the confines of the two covers 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the user grips the handle ends 18 and 20, each with a respective rod 16 inside.

The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications, variations, and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover comprising, in combination: a seat support, arms, back rest and legs; a seat cushion removably resting on said seat support, a back cushion removably resting against said back rest, and a protective cushion cover unattached and separated from said cushions when not covering said cushions; said protective cushion cover having no joinable attachments to said cushions when said protective cushion cover is covering said cushions adjacent thereto; said protective cushion being substantially rectangular with first and second distal ends configured with snap closure fasteners and with an internal handle rod in each of said distal ends; said protective cushion adapted to wrap around said seat and/or back cushions with said snap fasteners from said first and second distal ends engaging each other for enclosing said cushions for transporting and storage; said internal handles adapted for carrying said cover enclosing said cushions; and said protective cushion stored in said chair during normal use of said chair.
 2. The outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover combination of claim 1 in which said cover when not deployed for use is rolled up with said fasteners from opposite ends thereof being engaged, said rolled up cover being stored at a rear end of said seat cushion.
 3. The outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover combination of claim 1 in which said cover, during normal use of said chair, is stored under said seat cushion with said first distal end extending out from a front of said seat cushion.
 4. The outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover combination of claim 3 in which said second distal end of said cover extends out through a rear of said back cushion to an upper end of said seat back.
 5. The outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover combination of claim 1 in which said internal handles are aligned adjacent each other when said fasteners both distal ends of said cover are engaged, said aligned handles forming a convenient grasping portion for transporting said cushions wrapped within said cover.
 6. The outdoor furniture chair and protective cushion cover combination of claim 5, wherein said grasping portion formed by the joining of said distal ends, with said respective rods enclosed therein, form a pair of teardrop shaped portions in crossection, said teardrop shaped portions being made of a malleable but semi-rigid material, wherein when said teardrop shaped portions emanate angularly outward beyond said fasteners, forming a V-shaped pair with a V-shaped recess extending therebetween.
 7. A method of using a protective cushion cover in combination with a chair having a seat support, arms, back rest, and legs, comprising the steps of: removably placing a seat cushion on said seat support; removably placing a back cushion against said back rest; storing a protective cushion cover in said chair, said protective cushion being substantially rectangular with first and second distal ends each end configured with snap closure fasteners and with an internal handle rod in each of said distal ends; said protective cushion cover unattached and separated from said cushion when not covering said cushion; said protective cushion cover having no joinable attachments to said cushions when said protective cushion cover is covering said cushions adjacent thereto; removing one or both of said cushions for transporting or storage; wrapping said protective cushion cover around said seat and/or back cushions with said snap fasteners from said first and second distal ends engaging each other for enclosing said cushions; using said internal handles for carrying said protective cushion cover enclosing said cushions; and storing said protective cushion cover in said chair for later use during normal seating use of said chair.
 8. The method of claim 7 in which said cover when not deployed for use is rolled up with said fasteners from opposite ends thereof being engaged, said rolled up cover being stored at a rear end of said seat cushion.
 9. The method of claim 7 in which said cover, during normal seating use of said chair, is stored under said seat cushion with said first distal end extending out from a front of said seat cushion.
 10. The method of claim 9 in which said second distal end of said cover extends out through a rear of said back cushion to an upper end of said seat back.
 11. The method of claim 7 in which said internal handles are aligned adjacent each other when said fasteners from both distal ends of said cover are engaged, said aligned handles forming a convenient grasping portion for transporting said cushions wrapped within said protective cushion cover.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said grasping portion formed by the joining of said distal ends, with said respective rods enclosed therein, form a pair of teardrop shaped portions in crossection, said teardrop shaped portions being made of a malleable but semi-rigid material, wherein when said teardrop shaped portions emanate angularly outward beyond said fasteners, forming a V-shaped pair with a V-shaped recess extending therebetween.
 13. A protective removable cushion cover that also acts as a carrier for storing and transporting an outdoor furniture cushion of an outdoor piece of furniture having a seat support, arms, back rest, and legs, comprising: said protective cushion cover being unattached and separated from the cushion when not covering the cushion; said protective cushion cover having no joinable attachments to said cushions when said protective cushion cover is covering said cushions adjacent thereto; said protective cushion cover being a rectangular flexible layer with opposite first and second distal ends configured with snap closure fasteners; an internal handle rod in each of said distal ends of said rectangular flexible layer; said protective cushion cover being adapted to wrap around the seat support cushion and/or back cushion; said respective snap fasteners from said first and second distal ends of said rectangular flexible layer of said protective cushion cover engaging each other for enclosing said seat support cushion and/or back cushion for transporting and storage; said protective removable cover having respective internal rods at each distal end of said rectangular flexible layer being adapted for carrying the protective cover enclosing at least one cushion; whereby, said protective cushion is storable in the chair during normal user occupancy use of the chair.
 14. The protective removable cushion cover as in claim 13 wherein said grasping portion formed by the joining of said distal ends, with said respective rods enclosed therein, form a pair of teardrop shaped portions in crossection, said teardrop shaped portions being made of a malleable but semi-rigid material, wherein when said teardrop shaped portions emanate angularly outward beyond said fasteners, forming a V-shaped pair with a V-shaped recess extending therebetween. 